Railroad-crossing warning-signal



E. H. MEDEN.

RAILROAD CROSSING WARNING SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4. I917.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

2 SHEET$SHEET I.

I E. H. MEDEN.

RAILROAD CROSSINGWARNING SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1912.

1 ,348,507 Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 2.

anveufo'z zzofjferm fifedim.

UNITED STATESIPATENT OFFICE.

ELOF HERMAN MEDEN, OF ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO A. G. A.

RAILWAY LIGHT 8c SIGNAL C0,, ING, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, A COB- ]?ORATION OF'NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application filed January 4, 1917. Serial No. 140,554.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELOF HERMAN MnmEN, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have in vented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Crossing \Varning-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in warning signals adapted more particularly for use at railway or other grade crossings, etc., points .where vehicle and edestrian travel require the presence of a signal of this type. a

The general use of fast traveling vehicles, such as automobiles, etc., necessitates'the provision of signals at danger points, such as crossings at grade; and owing to the high speed of travel, the si a1 should be of such type as will insure t e giving of warning in ample time to permit necessary precautions to be taken.

One of the sources of accidents is pro vided by the attempts of drivers to pass over grade crossings of railways or other fast moving carriers at the time when such carriers are due topass the crossing. In cities and towns these crossings are generally protected by gates, etc., under the control of operators who are able to place the barrier in position. However, in suburban or country districts the safety factor of the barrier is not employed, dependence being placed on the usual crossing signs and possibly an audible signal to provide the warning. Obviously, neither is effective in the case of a fast traveling vehicle, since the usual sign simply indicates the presence of the crossing without indicating the presence of imminent danger; and after dark, even the'presence of the sign is indicated only in the immediate vicinity of the crossing, at which time any warning effect is valuelessto the vehicle driver. Where the audible signal is employed its effective range is so limited as to be valueless exce ting to pedestrians and slow-moving tra 0.

These general signs are universally used at such crossings, and it is one ofthe purposes of the present invention to make them real safety factors by the use of mechanism which will produce relative distinctions thereof between periods when safety is present and when danger threatens; also to present a precautionary signal visual at a sufficient distance to permit all necessary protective measures to be taken to prevent accidents at such crossings, at distances at which the particular character of the crossing sign cannot be clearly read.

Other objects are to .provide a mechanism which can be readily attached to the existing signs; to provide an apparatus of low cost of manufacture and particularly having low maintenance cost; and to provide an appa ratus which may be controlled by track circuits so as to produce apparatus operation only when danger threatens.

To these and other ends, the nature of which will be readily understood as the invention is hereinafter disclosed, said invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts in each of the views:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a signal according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the same, and showing diagrammatically, certain electrical connections which may be em loyed.

ig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a preferred form of lamp and operating mec anism.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view.

In the drawings, 10 desi nates a standard suitably supported, on w ich is mounted any preferred type of warning sign 11, Fig. 1 showing a form now in general use, the sign being located at the top of the standard. This type of structure is well known and is in universal use at grade crossings of railways. While the present invention is equally applicable for use under conditions where the standard is differently arranged, as resently indicated, it is especiall ada ted as an attachment to the pres ent lnstal ations thereby preventing loss of the present installations. The drawings show the invention in the form of an attachment. The numeral 12 designates a housing, secured to the standard in suitable manner, as by strap connections 12 and, if

desired, a supporting arm 12", the housing being located at the lower portion of the standard. The housin is provided with a door l2 affording rea y access to the inte rior of the housing. I

The housing is adapted to receive a removable container 13 carrying acetylene gas under high compression. Leadin r from the container and detachable therefrom is a tubular connection 14 which extends to a pressure regulator 15 adapted to deliver the gas to a connection 16 under low pressure conditions; 17 indicates a pressure gage mounted in connection 1-1, this gage being readily inspected when door 12 is opened, thus enabling an attendant to inspect the state of the container. A suitable stud valve structure 18 is employed to perm t the container to be opened to the connections when re lacing of containers is desired.

The housing and its contents form a source of gas supply to connection 16, the structure permitting replacing of containeis when necessary, these containers being adapted to carry a supply of gas suflicient to produce operation of the signal for extended periods.

Mounted on standard 10 is an arm 19, which, in the particular installation shown is inclined upwardly, said arm carrying the lamp at its outer end, the lamp being positioned to direct rays of light on to the sign 11. Obviously, the form of the arm or lamp support may vary to meet particular installations, the essential feature being to locate the lamp or source of light opposite the sign and spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to permit proper illumination thereof while the lamp is active.

To permit proper direction of the light rays from the lamp on to the sign, I preferably mount the lamp with an approximate universal joint structure. One form of such structure is shown in Fig. 3 in which arm 19 is shown as having its outer end formed with a cup-shaped portion 19* having an upper annular face 19 and a lower face 19. Face 19 cooperates with a complemental face of member 20 carried by a spindle 21 projecting downwardly from the base member 22 of the lamp structure. Face 19 cooperates with an annular flange 22" carried by base member 22. As is readily understood the cooperation of these parts enables the rotational adjustment of the lamp on a longitudinal axis as well as a shifting of such axis by swinging the lamp in pivotal directions defined by faces 19 and 19 After proper adjustment the parts are secured in position by suitable securing means such, for instance, as nut 21? threaded to spindle 21.

The lamp or source of light is of the type known as flashers, viz., the gas is supplied to the burner intermittently, a pilot-burner 22 serving to ignite the gas when supplied,

suitable mechanism being employed for controlling the supply of gas to the burner. In Fig. 3, 23 indicates the gas-receiving chalnher, one Wall of which is formed by a diaphragm structure 23, the gas being introduccd into said chamber from conduit 16 in an obvious manner. Leading from chamber 23 to the burner 2-1 is a passageway 24, the inlet to which is controlled by a. valve 25 suitably supported to move toward and from such passage inlet, said valve having a loose connection with diaphragm structure 23", the latter being controlled as to pressure by a suitable spring 23'.

As long as valve 25 remains closed, no gas will pass to the burner and the'lamp remains inactive. During such inactivity the gas entering chamber 23 builds up a pressure therein until it moves the diaphragm against the tension of its spring, thus unseating the valve and permitting the gas to reach the burner, reducing the pressure in chamber :33 and permitting the spring to again move the diaphragm to seat the valve, shutting off the gas supply. This provi es for intermittent operation-fiashing-of the lamp.

This particular structure of gas delivery and supply control is not specifically claimed herein as it is a structure commercially produced.

The lamp body is formed with a large opening to receive a lens 26, preferably of clear glass, said lens facing the sign, the light rays from the lens being adapted to illuminate the sign. The body also has another opening in which is mounted a light concentrating lens 27, which may be of any suitable color, red or green, for instance, adapted to produce a more or less distinctive signal. Lens 27 is of a type to project the rays for considerable distances, and is so positioned as to face in the direction of approach of the vehicle or pedestrian; in the drawing the two lenses are shown as being on opposite sides of the lamp.

The source of supply is under comparatively high pressure, but through the action of the pressure regulator this pressure is reduced to such an extent that the diaphragm control will be sufficient to control the lamp operation and permit the intermittent illuminating or flashing action. The general arrangement thus described provides for intermittent light ray emission through both lenses. As lens 27 is of the light concentrating type adapted to project the rays for considerable distances, and faces the approaching vehicle, it forms a precautionary signal to the driver of the vehicle, informing him of the presence of some danger to be avoided, the flash action-the intermittent operation at short in tervals-increasing the effect in that the successive flashes will tend to concentrate attention of the driver on to the signal. As the flash is active for considerable distances, ample opportunity is given the driver to reduce speed before reaching the dan er point. As the driverapproaches, the flash illumination of the sign renders the latter distinctive and easily read, the slow speed brou ht about by the precautionary signal enabhn the sign to be read even though it be 0 considerable area and contains somewhat lengthy legends.

This action enables the apparatus to be used for other purposes. For instance, it may be employed for calling attention to some particular event or for giving specific instructions or directions, the sign, in such case, carrying the data to be observed. The invention contemplates such use.

However, the invention is more particularly designed for warning at grade cros s ings, and to render it more effective for thls purpose, the apparatus contemplates a control of operation b which the lamp is made active only when anger threatens or when the controlling connections have been disarran ed in such manner as to make uncertain t e operation of such control. In other words, the action contemplated is on the side of safety, viz :-to prevent the flash action onl when there is assurance of the absence 0 danger. While this feature is not absolutely essential and the invention contemplates its omission, its presence is preferred since the flash effect on the approaching driver is one of greater signi cance than where used simply to indicate the presence of a possible point of dangerthe flash indicates actual dan er conditions.

This result is obtained by t e use of control mechanism which renders the lamp inactive under normal or non-dangerous con ditions, but which starts the flash action whenever a change from the normal takes place.

This inactivity of the source of light is produced by retaining passageway 24" closed, thus preventing gas from reaching the burner; and when the source is to become active, the passageway is reopened thus enabling the flash action to take place until the control mechanism is again actuated, to shut off the supply. It is to be understood, of course, that such supply is cut off for short intervals during the normal operation of the lamp, thus reducing the flash effect, but this action di ers from the lamp inactivity condition, in that the supply is restored through the normal action of the lamp, while during lamp inactivity, this restoration is brought about by external conditions.

Various ways of providing this control may be employed, Fig. 3 indicating a simple form of apparatus for the purpose. In this view 28 indicates a lever, pivoted at 28" and carrying a pin or arm 28 adapted, in one position, to cooperate with the diaphragm structure to prevent movement of the latter in a direction to unseat valve 25. Lever 28 is held in such position through suitable means such, for instance, as an electroma net or solenoid, the outer end of the lever aving a connection with the solenoid core 29.

he solenoid may be of any desired form, but the structure of Figs. 3 and 4 is preferred, in that it is not only inclosed within the lamp body, but is of such form as to permit ready replacement of the coil when necessar As wiil be seen, a coil 29 is employed, this coil having upwardly projecting members or terminals 29 (Fig. 4), these terminals being adapted to en age pins or connectors 30 rojecting throug and insulated from the casing, the leads from the source of electrical suppl being attached to these pins. Coil 29 exten s into a pocket 31 formed in a closure 31 removably secured to the casing, the closure being internally formed to receive solenoid core 29 within the coil. By removing closure 31, coil 29 can be readily withdrawn, the fingers of terminals 29" permitting this action to take place. Should, therefore, the coil be damaged or made in operative in any way, as for instance, through damage by lightning, a new coil may be readily inserte As will be clear, energizing of the coil will act to move lever 28 in a direction to form a stop in the path of movement of the diaphragm structure. This action prevents valve 25 from re-opening with the result that pressure in chamber 23 builds up until it equals or exceeds that in conduit 16, thus preventing further supply of gas. This condition will continue until the solenoid is deenergized, whereupon spring 28 will act to rock the lever on its pivot and remove pin 28 from its stop position. This permits the diaphragm structure to again operate and unseat valve 25 to start the supply of gas to the burner and effect flash action which continues until the solenoid is again energized.

Energizing of the solenoid may be provided in any desired manner, as by mam ulation of a switch mechanism. I pre er, however, to provide an automatic control which will provide for lamp activity when danger threatens at the crossing.

One way of accomplishing this result is shown in Fig. 2 in which the control is placed on track circuits, making and breaking or short-circuiting of these circuits controllin the activity and inactivity of the solenoi In this view I have shown the solenoid as connected up in a signal bell operating system, such for instance as is employed at the present time at grade crossings, the bell being indicated at 32, its circuit extending from battery 33 to switch 34 (forming the armature of the track relay) lead 32, bell 32 and lead 32 to battery. The track circuit is from battery 35 to track rail 36 lead 37, relay 37, lead 37", track rail 36, to battery. In the absence of a connection between track-rails 36 and 36? or a break in the circuit connections, relay 37 is operative to move switch 34 to break the bell circuit. The presence of a train or other connection between the track rails, short circuits the relay thus permitting the switch to close the bell circuit and operate the bell.

Where an installation of this type is present, I preferably connect the solenoid inthe bell circuit, the circuit being from battery 33 to switch 34, lead 38, solenoid coil 29, lead 38", lead 32 to battery, switch 34 closing this circuit while the re ay is ene-r ized. Obviously, this circuit may be em oyed independently of the bell circuit in installations where no audible signal is employed. The combined circuit arrangement enables the signal apparatus now in use to be employed.

It will be understood that the operating means for lever 28 may be reversed, so that said lever is held to render the diaphragm inactive by a spring or weight or other mechanism, and the solenoid structure operative to reverse the position of the lever, this reversal or change being an obvious mechanical change.

As pointed out, the invention is not limited to the specific means employed to control the activity and inactivity of the lamp.

lVhile I have shown housing 12 as attached to an installed standard 10, it will be obvious that this housing may form a part of the support for arm 19, by securing the standard to the upper end of the housing, the latter being suitably supported and forming the support for the standard, this being a mechanical expedient which may be employed for new installations without departing from the spirit of the invention.

\Vith the track circuit control in service, the lamp is rendered active only when trains, cars, or engines are within the limits of the track circuit zone, or in the event the track or solenoid circuits become disarranged or damaged. This is advantageous not only because of the fact that knowledge of system operation by the traveling public will cause vehicle drivers, etc., to have assurance that the presence of the flash is indicative of actual danger, but also by reason of limiting the use of the gas supply to only such periods of danger, thus materially increasing the length of time each container will remain serviceable before requiring replacement. As the general arrangement is such that continuous use of the flasher entails a cost of but a few cents per week and a replacement of containers at intervals of a number of weeks, it will be apparent that by so limiting the period of lamp activity the maintenance costs will be further reduced, enabling the a paratus to be installed and operated at ow cost, a factor of especial importance in installing systems at the multitude of crossings present in railwag systems.

ince each installation carries its own supply of gas, the apparatus can obviously be installed at any omt.

As will be seen oth lenses of the lamp are active concurrently but the lens action is of a different type, lens 26 being designed slm 1y for illuminating purposes while lens 27 15 designed for ra -pro ection for considerable distances. ince the source of light is positioned opposite the sign and between 1t and the approaching traffic, and lens 27 is surrounded b non-illuminated portions of the lamp bo y, the signal produced by lens 27 is made prominent, although the sign illumination produces a lighted zone of diffused light appearance surrounding the lamp and within which the non-illuminated zone produced by the lamp body surrounds the li ht zone of lens 27. Hence there is no conf used eifect produced on the approaching tratfic by the different forms of light ray emission especially since lens 27 is of the approximately parallel beam type.

While I have herein shown a preferred form of my invention and described various ways in which it may be carried into effect, it will be readily understood that variations and modifications thereof may be required or desired to meet the exigencies of use, and I desire to be understood as reserving the right to make any and all such changes or modifications as may be found desirable or necessary, in so far as the same may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims.

Inasmuch as particular installations may require a spacing of the lamp from the sign a distance greater than may be conveniently provided by the arm 19, it will be understood that the lamp and housing may form part of a structure separate from the sign and its support, such chan e obviously being a colorable variation one the specific structure disclosed herein, it being readily understood that a change which simply provides a separate support for the housing or lamp will not affect the general principles of the invention disclosed. And while I have herein referred to the arm as being associated with the sign support, it is to be understood that a structure embodying the separate support is considered to be within the meaning of such expression.

What I claim is:

1. As a means for warning traffic, mechanism adapted to produce light signals and illumination in the path of trafiic travel,

said mechanism comprising a fixedly-positioned legend-bearing sign, and means asso-' ciated with the si n support for illuminating the sign and f m giving a signal of precaution in the direction of a proaching trailic, said means including a lig t-ray pro- 'ecting device positioned op osite to and avin a lens adapted to PIOJBCt light rays direct y on the sign to illuminate it, said device also having a light-concentrating lens facing the direction of approaching traffic, a gas burner within said device and positioned to cooperate with both lenses to roduce concurrent precautionary signa ing and sign illumination, and means controllable from a remote point for controlling the activity of the li ht signals.

2. As a means or warning trafiic, mechanism adapted to produce light signals and illumination in the path of traflic travel, said mechanism comprising a fixedly-positioned legend-bearing sign, and means associated with the sign support for illuminating the sign and or giving a signal of precaution in the direction of a proaching trafiic, said means including a lig t-ray pro- 'ecting device positioned op osite to and avin a lens adapted to pro ect light rays direct y on the sign to illuminate it, said device also having a light-concentrating lens facing the direction of approaching trafiic, and a gas burner within said device and positioned to cooperate with both lenses to produce concurrent precautionary si naling and sign illumination, and means or rendering said burner active intermittently to produce signals in rapid succession.

3. As a means for warning traffic, mechanism adapted to produce light signals and illumination in the path of traffic travel, said mechanism comprising a fixedly-positioned legend-bearing sign, and means associated with the sign support for illuminating the sign and for giving a signal of precaution in the direction of approaching traffic, said means including a light-ray pro- 'ecting device positioned opposite to and aving a lens a apted to pro ect light rays directly on the sign to illuminate it, said device also having a light-concentrating lens facing the direction of approaching traflic, and a gas burner within said device and positioned to cooperate with both lenses to produce concurrent precautionary signaling and sign illumination, said light-concentrating lens being of the approximately-parallel beam type and positioned to produce a distinctive signal within the zone of sign illumination provided by the illuminating lens.

4. As a means for warning trafiic at grade crossings, mechanism for producing light signals and illumination in the path of traffic travel, said mechanism comprising a grade-crossing legend-bearing sign having a standard, and means associated with the standard for concurrently illuminating the sign and glving a precautionary si nal in the direction of approaching tra c, said means lncluding a light-ray projecting device positioned opposite to and spaced from the sign and having) a burner, a source of gas supply for the urner, a pair of lenses carried by the device opposite the burner, one of said lenses being positioned to directly illuminate the sign, the other lens being positioned to produce a precautionary signal in the direction of approaching traffic, and means controllable from a remote point for controlling the activity of the light signals.

5. As a means for warning traffic at grade crossings, a signaling unit individual to such crossing and including mechanism for producing light signals in the path of traffic travel, said mechanism comprising a gradecrossing legend bearing sign, means associated with the sign support for concurrently illuminating the sign and giving a precautionary signal in the direction of approaching traffic, and mechanism for controlling the activity of said means to prevent the illuminating and signaling action when warning action is unnecessary.

6. As a means for warning traffic at grade crossings, a signalin unit individual to such crossing and incuding mechanism for producing light-signals in the path of traflic travel, said mechanism comprising a gradecrossing legend-bearing sign, means associated with the sign support for concurrently illuminating the sign and giving a precautionary signal in the direction of approaching traflic, said means including a source of light, and control means for rendering said source active intermittently to produce a succession of flash operations, and mechanism for controlling the activity of said means to prevent the illuminating and signaling action when warning action is unnecessary.

7. As a means for warning traffic at grade crossings, a signaling unit individual to such crossing and including mechanism for producing light signals in the path of traflic travel, said mechanism comprising a gradecrossing legend-bearing sign, means associated with the sign support for. concurrently illuminating the sign and giving a precautionary signal in the direction of ap proaching traffic, and control mechanism for limiting the operative periods of said means, said control mechanism being normally operative to restrain means operation whereby absence of means activity will provide indications of crossing safety to the approaching traffic.

8. As a means for warning traffic at grade crossings, a signaling unit individual to such crossing and including mechanism for producing light si nals in the path of traffic travel, said mec anism comprising a gradecrossing legend-bearing sign, means associated with the sign support for concurrently illuminating the sign and ,givin a. precautionary signal in the direction 0? approaching traflic, and control mechanism for limiting the operative periods of said means, said control mechanism being normally operative to restrain means operation, said control mechanism including electro-magnetic mechanism operative in said means, and means for controlling the activity of the electromagnetic mechanism.

9. As a means for warning trailic at rail way grade crossings, and in combination, a legend-bearing sign positioned on the approach side of the crossing, non-electric means associated with the sign support for illuminating the sign and for giving a precautionary signal in the direction of approaching traffic, and control mechanism active in said means for limiting the operative periods of said means, said control mechanism including a circuit controllable from a remote point, and connections between said circuit and said mechanism whereby the restraint action of the control mechanism will be made ineffective to prevent means operation upon failure of connection operation.

10. As a means for rendering grade crossing signs efiective to warn approaching trailic travel, an attachment for concur rently illuminating such sign and. for giving a precautionary warning signal to approaching traflic, said attachment comprising an arm carried by the sign support, a light'rayprojecting device positioned by said arm opposite and spaced from the sign, said device including a gas burner, a lens for directly illuminating the sign, and a lens for projecting light rays to a distance in the direction of approaching trafiic, a source of gas supply associated with such sign support an operatively connected with the burner, and means controllable from a remote point for controlling the activity of the light signals.

11. As a means for rendering grade crossing signs effective to warn approaching tratlic travel, an attachment for concurrently illuminating such sign and for giving a precautionary warning signal to approaching traflic, said attachment comprising an arm carried by the sign support, a light-ray projecting device positioned by said arm opposite and spaced from the sign, said device in cluding a gas burner, a lens for directly illuminating the sign, and a lens for projecting light rays to a distance in the direction of approaching traific, a source of gas supply carried by such sign support and operatively connected with the burner, and means controllable from a remote point for con trolling the activity of the light signals.

12. The combination with a light-ray projectiihg device adapted to illuminate signs, said evice having a gas burner, and means for controllin the supply of gas to such burner and inc uding a valvestructure in the gas path to the burner, of mechanism for limiting the periods when such valve may open, said mechanism including a lever adapted to operate as a stop to prevent valveopening movement, electro-magnetic means for controlling the periods of stop activity, and means for controlling the activity of said electro-magnetic means.

13. The combination with a light-ray projecting device adapted to illuminate grade crossing signs of railways, said device having a gas burner, a lens structure adapted to project light rays from the burner onto the sign, and means for controlling the supply of gas to the burner, said means includ ing a valve structure in the gas path to the burner, of a circuit controllable from a remote point and mechanism controlled by said circuit for limiting the periods when such valve may open, said mechanism including a lever adapted to act as a stop to prevent valve-opening movement, and a solenoid for controlling the periods of stop activity, said solenoid being operatively controlled by said circuit.

14. The combination with a sign and its support, of an attachment for illuminating the sign comprising an arm carried by such support, and a light-ray projecting device, adapted to project the light rays directly upon the sign, said device having a gas burner, a lens adapted to provide such illumination, said arm being adapted to position the device opposite and spaced from the sign, a source of gas supply, and connections between said source and the burner, said arm and device having a universal joint connection, whereby said device may be adj usted to vary the axis of ray projection.

15. The combination with a sign and its support, of an attachment for illuminating the sign comprising an arm carried by such support, and a light-ray projecting device, adapted to project the light rays directly upon the sign, said device having a gas burner, a lens adapted to provide such illumination, said arm being adapted to position the device opposite and spaced from the sign, said arm and device having complemental means for adjusting the device to vary the axis of ray projection, said means including a hollow member carried by the arm and having substantially concentric annular faces, a base member for the device and having a flange cooperating with one of said faces, a threaded element carried by the base member and extending through the hollow member, and an element carried by said threaded element and cooperating with the other of said faces.

16. The combination with a light-ray projecting device having a gas burner, a device frame adapted to protect the burner flame, and means for controlling the supply of gas to such burner, said means including a pressure-controlled valve in the gas path, of mechanism for limiting the periods when such valve may move from its seat, said mechanism including a movable stop structure, electro-magnetic means for controlling movements of the stop structure, and a removable closure for inclosing said magnetic means within the device frame.

17. The combination with a light-ray projecting device having a gas burner, a device frame adapted to protect the burner flame, and means for controlling the supply of gas to such burner, said means including a pressure-controlled valve in the gas path, of mechanism for limiting the periods when such valve may move from its seat, said mechanism including a movable stop structure, electro-magnetic means for controlling movements of the stop structure, and a removable closure for inclosing said magnetic means within the device frame, said electro-magnetic means including terminals carried by the frame and projecting into.the frame interior, a solenoid coil seated in a pocket of said closure and having fingers adapted to cooperate with the terminal, and a solenoid core operatively connected to the stop structure.

18. In a signaling apparatus and in combination, a signaling lantern having a main gas burner and a pilot, a renewable source of compressed illuminating gas, a gas conduit leading from said source to the gas burner, an electro-magnetically-controlled valve in said conduit for controlling the flow of gas to the burner and normally oprable to cut off the gas flow thereto, and a controllable circuit within which the valve magnet is included, said circuit being unaffected by gas movements, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that magnet activity to open the gas supply of the main gas burner will be provided upon change in conditions of the controllable circuit.

19. In a signaling apparatus and in combination, a signaling lantern having a main gas burner and a pilot, a renewable source of compressed illuminating gas, a gas conduit leading from said source to the gas burner, a magnetically controlled valve in said conduit for controlling the flow of gas to the burner and normally operating to cut off the gas flow thereto, an electro-magnet for controlling valve operations, and a circuit in which said magnet is included, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that the circuit to the valve control magnet will be completed to open the gas supply to the main gas burner upon change in conditions of the magnet-containing circuit.

20. In a signaling apparatus and in combination, a signaling lantern having a main gas burner and a pilot, a renewable source of compressed illuminating gas, a gas conduit leading from said source to the gas burner, a magnetically-controlled valve in said conduit for controlling the flow of gas to the burner and normally operable to cut oil' the gas flow thereto, and a circuit within which the valve magnet is included, said circuit being controlled by train movements over tracks with which the signal is concerned, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that magnet activity to open the gas supply to the main gas burner will be provided upon the passage of a train over such tracks.

21. In a signaling apparatus and in combination, a signaling lantern having a main gas burner and a pilot, a renewable source of compressed illuminating gas, a gas conduit leading from said source to the gas burner, a magnetically-controlled valve in said conduit for controlling the flow of gas to the burner and normally operating to cut off the gas flow thereto, an electromagnet for controlling valve operations, and a railroad track circuit in which said magnet is included, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that the circuit to the magnetic valve will be completed to open the gas supply to the main gas burner upon the passage of a train over the track circuit.

22. In signaling apparatus and in combination, a signaling lantern having a main gas burner and a pilot, a renewable source of compressed illuminating gas, a gas conduit connecting the source with the burner, a magnetically-controlled valve in said conduit and normally active as a barrier to prevent passage of gas to the burner, and means whereby said valve is made inactive as such barrier, said means including an electromagnet operative in the valve control. and a track circuit controlling the activity of the magnet, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that the burner will be rendered active in the presence of train operations relative to such circuit.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

ELOF HERMAN MEDEN. 

